Status

Money

Stacking

Maximum investment by this program: 75% of eligible salary costs and 50% of subcontractor costs

Maximum total investment by all governments: 75% of eligible project costs

How it works

Call 1-877-994-4727 to speak with an NRC IRAP Advisor.

They'll ask you some questions about your firm such as your business objectives, your capacity and willingness to grow through innovation to determine if you're eligible for NRC IRAP support. If the advisor determines that your development and growth strategies could benefit from NRC IRAP support, they will refer you to an NRC IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA).

Your ITA may also meet with you in person to understand your business in more detail such as your business strategy and the issues you are facing, the opportunities you see for growth and your plans for the future. This information will help the ITA develop a diagnostic to identify perceived gaps and recommend strategies by which to address these gaps.

Your proposal will be assessed within 3 months (usually less) based on:

Technical aspects and potential impacts on your business

Business, management, financial capabilities

Your assessed potential to achieve expected results

Your commercialization plan

The overall market and commercialization opportunity

Benefits to Canada

If successful, you'll receive the contribution and work with your ITA throughout your project.

Stacking

How it works

Find a potential foreign collaborator and get a letter or email confirming that they know about your technology and want to meet with you. (Tip: Use the Trade Commissioner Service to find a partner if you don't already have one.)

AgriInnovate Program

Get up to $10 million in repayable contributions to cover 50% of the cost of projects that aim to accelerate demonstration, commercialization and/or adoption of innovative products, technologies, processes or services that increase agri-sector competitiveness and sustainability.

Your non-profit could get a financial contribution to assist businesses at all stages of development in scaling up and becoming more globally competitive. Investments will focus on enhancing business support networks for under-represented groups — including women, Indigenous peoples and young entrepreneurs — and supporting regional strategic clusters, accelerators and incubators, and projects that attract foreign investments.

Your not-for-profit could get a financial contribution to assist businesses at all stages of development in scaling up and becoming more globally competitive. Investments focus on enhancing business support networks for under-represented groups — including Indigenous peoples, women and youth.

How it works

Write your proposal with the project participants, and get feedback your Mitacs representative.

Collect all signatures and required documents and submit the final proposal to your Mitacs representative. Peer review takes approximately 6–8 weeks.

If the proposal is approved, Mitacs will get in touch with more details about how to make your financial contribution. When they receive it, Mitacs will release the Accelerate award to the university and it will pay the intern.

Northern Ontario Development Program - Innovation — Private Sector

Repayable contribution to cover up to 50% of eligible expenses related to the adoption and commercialization of new technologies.

Status

Accepting applications

Money

Amount is based on the minimum you need

Stacking

Maximum investment by this program: Up to 33% of eligible capital costs or up to 50% of eligible non-capital costs

Maximum total investment by all government programs: 75% of project costs

How it works

Read the program guidelines and make sure your proposal fits in with the innovation priority. (Tip: Discuss your proposal with a FedNor officer before completing an application.)

Fill out an application for financial assistance. It will include key contact and project information, along with a short summary of how your project fits in with the innovation priority and its anticipated measurable economic benefits.

FedNor will evaluate your initial application to determine if your project is eligible to move on to the next phase.

If successful, you will be invited to submit a detailed application.

FedNor will evaluate your full proposal on factors such as project outcomes, competitiveness and benefits to Northern Ontario's economy, and aims to have results within 80 working days.

If successful, you will negotiate a contribution agreement, which lays out repayment details and obligations such as reporting requirements.

Start your project.

Submit eligible expenses for reimbursement.

Report to FedNor on project progress, spending and other activities as identified in your contribution agreement.

Repay the funding according to the terms negotiated in your contribution agreement.

Government of Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada — FedNor

Your project

Must have clear economic, innovation and/or public benefits for Canada (e.g., create jobs, develop a new technology, support local communities, etc.)

How it works

Read the Program and Statement of Interest guides.

Write and submit your Statement of Interest.

The Strategic Innovation Fund will confirm whether your Statement of Interest has potential and if completing a full application is advisable.

Develop and submit your full application.

Your application will be assessed against the anticipated benefits of the project (e.g., potential spillover benefits, number of jobs created and environmental benefits) and will undergo due

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada will decide which projects to fund.

If successful, you will negotiate a contribution agreement, which lays out details such as whether the contribution is repayable, non-repayable or a combination, and obligations such as reporting requirements.

Your project

Must have clear economic, innovation and/or public benefits for Canada (e.g., create jobs, develop a new technology, support local communities, etc.)

How it works

Read the Program and Statement of Interest guides.

Write and submit your Statement of Interest.

The Strategic Innovation Fund will confirm whether your Statement of Interest has potential and if completing a full application is advisable.

Develop and submit your full application.

Your application will be assessed against the anticipated benefits of the project (e.g., potential spillover benefits, number of jobs created and environmental benefits) and will undergo due

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada will decide which projects to fund.

If successful, you will negotiate a contribution agreement, which lays out details such as whether the contribution is repayable, non-repayable or a combination, and obligations such as reporting requirements.

Money

Stacking

Your project

Should support the establishment of new facilities or bring new mandates to Canada

Must have clear economic, innovation and/or public benefits for Canada (e.g., create jobs, develop a new technology, support local communities, etc.)

How it works

Read the Program and Statement of Interest guides.

Write and submit your Statement of Interest.

The Strategic Innovation Fund will confirm whether your Statement of Interest has potential and if completing a full application is advisable.

Develop and submit your full application.

Your application will be assessed against the anticipated benefits of the project (e.g., potential spillover benefits, number of jobs created and environmental benefits) and will undergo due diligence.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada will decide which projects to fund.

If successful, you will negotiate a contribution agreement, which lays out details such as whether the contribution is repayable, non-repayable or a combination, and obligations such as reporting requirements.

Get a contribution for your non-profit-led network to support industry-led R&D, bring new technologies and innovations to market, or to reinforce and/or disrupt the overall growth of the agriculture/agri-food sector.

Government of Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Get a contribution for your consortium’s proposal to advance data and digital innovations from the laboratory to an operational environment, through a collaboration between the private sector, researchers and non-profits.

Government of Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Northern Ontario Development Program - Innovation — Not-for-Profit

Financial contribution for projects that enable organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises to increase their level of innovation, productivity, quality and competitiveness in key sectors.

Status

Accepting applications

Money

Amount is based on the minimum you need

Stacking

Maximum investment by this program: Up to 33% of eligible capital costs or up to 50% of eligible non-capital costs

Maximum total investment by all government programs: 90% of project costs

How it works

Read the program guidelines and make sure your proposal fits in with the innovation priority. (Tip: Discuss your proposal with a FedNor officer before completing an application.)

Fill out an application for financial assistance. It will include key contact and project information, along with a short summary of how your project fits in with the innovation priority and its anticipated measurable economic benefits.

FedNor will evaluate your initial application.

If successful, you will be invited to submit a detailed application.

FedNor will evaluate your full proposal on factors such as project outcomes, competitiveness and benefits to Northern Ontario's economy, and aims to have results within 80 working days.

If successful, you will negotiate a contribution agreement, which lays out repayment details and obligations such as reporting requirements.Â

Start your project.

Submit eligible expenses for reimbursement.

Report to FedNor on project progress, spending and other activities as identified in your contribution agreement.

If applicable, repay the funding as identified in your contribution agreement.

Government of Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada — FedNor

Feed into the application process. (Tip: the application is mainly completed by the university or college researcher. As a business, you contribute to the development of the proposal, create a letter of support responding to particular questions and provide a profile of your company to the researcher or to NSERC directly.)

NSERC assesses the application on technical merit, industrial relevance and other criteria, usually within six weeks.

If approved, funding is typically provided to the university or college within 30 days.

Government of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Get financial support covering up to 80% of the costs of a project that helps Indigenous communities improve their capacity to plan for, pursue, and participate in economic opportunities in the northern territories.

Your non-profit could get a financial contribution to assist businesses at all stages of development in scaling up and becoming more globally competitive. Investments will focus on enhancing business support networks for under-represented groups — including women, Indigenous peoples and young entrepreneurs — and supporting regional strategic clusters, accelerators and incubators, and projects that attract foreign investments.

Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation

Interest-bearing loans of $150,000 to $500,000 for late-stage commercialization, new product or service development, new applications or markets, development or implementation of new processes or technologies.

Innovate to Opportunity

Get a wage subsidy starting at 35% when you hire recent maste’rs and PhD grads for jobs paying at least $60,000 per year that are focused on research and innovation and will help your business begin, prepare for or expand exporting.

Ontario Tax Exemption for Commercialization

Refund of corporate tax paid by Canadian universities within the first 10 taxation years for commercializing intellectual property (IP) in advanced health, bioeconomy (including clean energy technologies) and telecommunications, computer or digital technologies.

Government of Ontario, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

Alberta Investor Tax Credit – Job creation

Get a 30% tax credit for providing capital to Alberta small businesses carrying out research, development or commercialization of new technology, new products or new processes in non-traditional sectors that will lead to strong job creation.

Government of Alberta, Business, Industry, Economy and Innovation – Corporate and Business Tax

Financing of Refundable Tax Credits

If you're eligible for a refundable tax credit and need the funds to carry out your project right away, you can get a loan of up to 100% of the anticipated amount, starting at $50,000 for scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax credits and at $20,000 for other tax credits.

Investment Accelerator Fund

If your company is close to commercialization in information technology (IT), health or clean tech — and your addressable market size is $100 million — this capital investment of $500,000 may be for you.

Market Readiness Fund

Capital investments of up to $125,000 at the customer-creation stage and up to $250,000 at the company-building stage to support the development of innovations that give companies a competitive advantage.

Eastern Ontario Investing in Regional Diversification Pool (RDP)

Eastern Ontario entrepreneurs can apply for loans of up to $350,000 for new ventures, expansion and additional capital needs, in particular for innovation, green tech, clean tech, women entrepreneurs, and succession planning and ownership transition.

FinDev Canada Financing and Investment

Direct loans, loan guarantees, structured project financing and investments are available for Canadian companies operating in developing countries that bring sustainable social and economic benefits to local communities.

Solunov

Get loans or equity investments, as well as business coaching, for innovative business projects of $1 million or more that involve improving a product or business process, adopting a new marketing strategy or implementing a new technology.

Financial assistance to offset the cost of hiring young talent (a post-secondary graduate 15 to 30 years old) to work on projects with R&D, engineering, multimedia or market analysis components or the development of a new product or process.

Status

Accepting new clients

Money

Maximum: $30,000

Stacking

Maximum investment by this program: 100% of salary costs

Maximum total investment by all governments: 100% of salary costs

How it works

Call 1-877-994-4727 to speak with an NRC IRAP Advisor.

They'll ask you some questions about your firm such as your business objectives, your capacity and willingness to grow through innovation to determine if you're eligible for NRC IRAP support. If the advisor determines that your development and growth strategies could benefit from NRC IRAP support, they will refer you to an NRC IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA).

The ITA may also meet with you in person to understand your business in more detail such as your business strategy and the issues you are facing, the opportunities you see for growth and your plans for the future to determine if the Youth program is right for you.

If yes, your ITA will work with you to develop a project proposal.

Find and hire your graduate. Internships are available anywhere in Canada and the projects must last a minimum of six months, and a maximum of twelve months. Your candidate will need to be unemployed or underemployed and a Canadian or permanent resident. Your ITA can connect you with colleges and universities that have the right candidates.

How it works

Submit a short introduction. You may be invited to present your project via video conference. SDTC will let you know if your project will proceed with further evaluation.

Submit your proposal.

SDTC conducts a multi-step evaluation of your application on things like how your technology compares to competing solutions and the strength of your business plan. They may also conduct a site visit. The application process usually takes six months from start to finish.

Find out if your project is approved. If no, you'll get feedback on why. If yes, you'll be assigned a project manager and sign a contribution agreement. It takes anywhere from 3 to 11 months to finalize the agreement.

Start your project.

Get your money based upon a schedule of milestones outlined in your agreement.

Feed into the application process. (Tip: The application is mainly completed by the university researcher. As a business, you contribute to the development of the proposal, create a letter of support responding to particular questions and provide a profile of your company to the researcher or to NSERC directly by registering for eServices.)

NSERC assesses the application on technical merit, industrial relevance and other criteria, usually within three months after receiving the completed application.

If approved, funding is provided directly to the university typically within 30 days.

Government of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

EUREKA!

Collaborate with small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), large companies, research centres, universities and other innovators from over 40 economies from the EU, Europe, Israel, South Korea, Chile, and South Africa.

Innovate BC Ignite Program

Awards of up to $300,000 to consortia that are conducting industry-driven academic research projects to address a significant demonstrated problem faced by industry and will commercialize a proposed innovation within three years.

Creative Saskatchewan Investment Programs

Grants for book publishing, craft and visual art, interactive digital projects, live performing arts, music and screen-based media for new product development, research, marketing, export development and more.

How it works

Find your project partners and have them sign a letter signifying their interest and detailing your collective in-kind and cash contribution to the project, which must constitute 50% of the total project costs.

Yukon Film Development Fund

Get a non-repayable contribution of up to 50% of Yukon expenditures to a maximum of $35,000 or 33% of total project expenses (whichever is less), as well as up to $10,000 to bring more senior personnel to Yukon.

Business Development Project Fund (BDPF) — Core BDPF

Get up to $10,000 in Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith and Inuvik or up to $20,000 in other parts of the territory to help fund start-up expenses, expansion, raw materials, and short term projects that create employment.

Government of the Northwest Territories, Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation

York Entrepreneurship Development Institute Programs

Formal certification and access to exclusive finance networks, with a chance to pitch your idea and receive up to $500,000 in seed funding after graduation, as well as access to mentors and resources.

Status

Not accepting applications

Money

Maximum: $500,000

You

Founder or co-founder of an early-stage, for-profit company with an innovative idea
Commute to or reside in Toronto for the program
Communicate in English at an intermediate level

How it works

Apply online.

Your application will be evaluated by industry experts and partners. York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) accepts 15 entrepreneurs per cohort, twice a year.

You'll find out if you've been accepted within one month of the application deadline.

If accepted, you'll take part in a free, intensive, 16-week program, including formal academic lectures by Schulich Executive Education Centre instructors, workshop-based training in entrepreneurship and mentorship by key industry leaders.

Graduate and receive formal institutional certification from the Schulich School of Business (York University) and YEDI.

You'll be invited to pitch your professionally developed business plan at the Venture Fair for the opportunity to receive up to $500,000 in funding from YEDI's own venture capital fund.

NBIF Innovation Voucher

Get a grant of up to $80,000, paid directly to the research institute, to cover 80% of the costs of R&D services such as applied research, proof of concept and prototyping, product testing and demos, and more.

Jobs and Prosperity Fund — Forestry Growth Fund

Grants and loans for strategic investments by manufacturers and processors of wood products across Ontario, including improving productivity and innovation, enhancing competitiveness, supporting new market access, and strengthening supply chains and regional economies.

Nunavut Filmmakers Funding — Nunavut Spend Incentive Program

Get a rebate of up to 17% or 27% (depending on ownership) on the costs of producing a film in Nunavut, plus possible additional rebate bonuses for training creative personnel and creating Inuit language versions.

Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Youth Green

Financial assistance to offset the cost of hiring young talent (15 to 30 years old) to work on business, technical or technology-related projects with environmental benefits.

Status

Accepting new clients

Money

Maximum: $10,000

Stacking

Maximum investment by this program: 100% of salary costs

Maximum total investment by all governments: 100% of salary costs

How it works

Call 1-877-994-4727 to speak with an NRC IRAP Advisor.

They'll ask you some questions about your firm such as your business objectives, your capacity and willingness to grow through innovation to determine if you're eligible for NRC IRAP support. If the advisor determines that your development and growth strategies could benefit from NRC IRAP support, they will refer you to an NRC IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA).

The ITA may also meet with you in person to understand your business in more detail such as your business strategy and the issues you are facing, the opportunities you see for growth and your plans for the future to determine if the Youth-Green program is right for you.

If yes, your ITA will work with you to develop a project proposal. It could be in R&D, engineering, multimedia, market analysis or development of a new product or process, align with green economy sectors or industries and expected to produce an environmental benefit.

Find and hire your student. Internships are available anywhere in Canada and must last a minimum of three months, and a maximum of six months. Your candidate must Canadian or permanent resident. Your ITA can connect you with networks that have the right candidates.

TalentEdge Program — Internships

Double your investment of $10,000 and expand your research and development potential by hiring a student or recent graduate to help develop new products, processes or services.

Status

Accepting applications

Money

For each 4-month internship, you contribute $5,000 in cash and $5,000 in-kind and the program contributes $10,000

Usual maximum of $60,000 per application per company in a year

Stacking

If your project is already funded through another government program, contact a program manager before submitting an application

How it works

Find a student to work on your project. The Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) can help match companies with students, but a good starting point is to post the job and reach out to colleges and universities to let them know.

Complete an eligibility questionnaire.

OCE will review it within 1–2 business days.

If you're eligible, OCE will set up an online application for you.

Complete the application. You'll need:

The intern's official transcript(s) and curriculum vitae/resume

Information about your company, such as your business number, incorporation date and number of employees (globally and in Ontario)

OCE will review and assess your application (in 4–6 weeks).

If your application is approved, OCE will release the payment directly to you, minus a $1,500 holdback (per internship). The holdback will be released when the project ends and OCE receives progress and final reports and proof of payment to the intern.

Northern Industries Innovation Fund

Up to $50,000 to cover 50% of the costs of applied research and development, new or improved products and services, and testing of innovative equipment or technologies to support capital investment decisions.

Indigenous Forestry Initiative

Funding of up to $1 million per year for clean technology, forest bioeconomy, environmental stewardship and forest resource management projects in the forestry industry that create economic development opportunities for Indigenous peoples.

Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities — Stream 1

Funding for projects that reduce reliance on diesel fuel for heat and power in rural and remote communities, including bioheat, innovative demonstrations of new clean energy technologies and deployment of renewable energy technologies.

Accessible Technology Program

Get up to $4 million per year to develop affordable and commercially viable new technologies that will improve access to the digital economy for persons with disabilities and increase their employability.

Government of Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada